PWDs demand equal treatment as citizens

The Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD) has called on society to shift from the charity model of disability to right-based approaches, recognising the rights of persons with disabilities as equal citizens with legal rights under national laws and international frameworks such as the Convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities (CRPD).

Making the call at a two-day capacity building workshop jointly organised by the GFD, the Mental Health Society of Ghana (MEHSOG) and Africa Disability Institute (DI) in Kumasi last week, the participants noted with concern that despite the progress made so far, key challenges like political interference affecting decision making, limited capacity and resources for inclusion, inadequate coordination among institutions and insufficient professional support services such as sign language interpreters remained major issues confronting them.

The workshop, which brought together district and municipal social welfare and coordinating directors, leaders of OPDs and other key duty bearers, deliberated on effective strategies of collaboration in the promotion of inclusive development, governance and improved service delivery for persons with disabilities (PWDs).

The programme was funded by the European Union as part of the implementation of a three-year project aimed at strengthening the capacity of organisations of persons with disabilities in Ghana for advocacy and promotion of a more inclusive and accessible society for persons with disabilities.

Purpose  

It was aimed at strengthening collaboration between OPDs and district-level institutions, enhancing understanding of disability inclusion and equipping stakeholders with practical tools to ensure effective participation of persons with disabilities in governance decisions and development processes.

The key highlights and topics discussed included disability inclusion as a shared responsibility, the need for stronger collaboration at district and municipal levels, concerns over disability common fund management, the need to shift from charity to rights-based approach, promoting disability-inclusive governance, practical success stories from districts, persistent gaps and challenges facing the persons with disabilities institution.

The participants emphasised that while policies existed in Ghana, effective implementation would depend on all stakeholders’ commitments in forging partnerships, especially amongst local government authorities, metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies, traditional authorities and representatives of OPDs at the local and national levels.

Major outcome

The major outcome of the workshop was the call to society to move away from the charity model of disability to rights-based approaches, recognising the rights of persons with disabilities as equal citizens with legal rights under national laws and international frameworks such as the Convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities (CRPD).

The participants noted with concern that despite the progress made so far, key challenges such as political interference affecting decision making, limited capacity and resources for inclusion, inadequate coordination among institutions and insufficient professional support services such as sign language interpreters remained major issues confronting them.

In an opening address, the Executive Director of the Ghana Federation of Disabilities Organisations, Peter Amoah-Kordie, stated that disability was not about them (PWDs) but was about all citizens, stressing that “every success or challenge in our metropolis, municipalities and the districts contributed in shaping a more inclusive society for everyone.”

Call to action

The National President of the GFD, Joseph Atsu Homadzi, shared the experience of his recent visit to selected districts in both the Greater Accra and Eastern regions, to assess the achievements and challenges the federation was facing in accessing essential services, adding, “I admonish each one of you to serve as a champion and an ambassador for persons with disabilities in your metropolis, municipalities, districts and institutions.”

Mr Homadzi, the National President, urged the participants to take advantage of the issues discussed at the workshop to act as champions for disability inclusion in their respective areas to strengthen inclusive monitoring and accountability systems, ensure full participation of the diverse disability groups and associations, including women and children, and translate policies into practical, local-level action.